How One of My Patients Quit Kratom

Dr. Casey Grover shares his clinical experience treating Kratom Use Disorder through a detailed case presentation of a 38-year-old man who struggled to find medical professionals knowledgeable about kratom addiction.• Many healthcare providers lack knowledge about kratom, causing delays in patients receiving proper treatment• Kratom creates opioid dependence similar to traditional opioids, leading to withdrawal symptoms when stopping• The convenience of buying kratom at smoke shops contrasts sharply with the barriers of traditional medical care• Patients often use kratom to self-medicate underlying conditions like anxiety, ADHD, or pain• Effective treatment involves addressing opioid dependence with buprenorphine (or methadone) plus treating underlying conditions• Once dependent on opioids, patients must either use medications like Suboxone/methadone or endure withdrawal• Understanding the "feel something, take something" pattern is key to breaking the addiction cycle• Long-acting injectable buprenorphine (Sublocade) combined with as-needed oral doses proved effectiveTo contact Dr. Grover: [email protected]